2021 Chad Ao Guang Azure Dragon 2 oz Silver Coin

In the geography of ancient China, large water bodies were found in each of the four cardinal directions. The four seas thus became a metaphor for the boundaries of China, with the belief that each of the seas were governed by Dragon Kings – the most powerful creatures in the world. As divine rulers of the waters and the Five Elements, the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas manifested in two forms – their human persona and dragon deity form. They were worshipped to bring peace and safety to all seas, lakes and water bodies, and believed to rule all weather on Earth. Since then, many have continued to invoke and seek favour of the Dragon Kings for a smooth and peaceful life.

Ao Guang (敖廣) is the Dragon King of the East Sea (東海龍王), or sometimes referred to as Azure Dragon, Blue-Green Dragon, or 青龍 in Chinese. He rules over the season of Spring and the element of Wood. In this piece, the Dragon King rises to overlook the direction of the East with his long and thick body emerging from the sea. The scales and spikes that run along his body are detailed in an earthy and smooth texture to mirror his standing as the divine ruler of the Wood element. As a symbol of power and strength, he stands with poise commanding the waters beneath and ahead of him. The horizon between sky and sea is marked across the collectible artistically, through the use of deep indentations on an ultra-high relief. The finishing touch on this piece is the translucent green enamel applied to the water, giving it an exceptional 3D effect. The obverse showcases the legal tender, the Coat of Arms du Tchad.

Through the use of a new minting technique called “Bi-Metal Reverse”, it achieves a remarkable weight and 80mm diameter size – making it double the size of a regular 2 oz collectible. By combining 2 oz of silver as a base with a top layer of 11.5 oz of copper, the result is a super ultra-high relief that brings out every detail to maximum effect, then finished with antiqued silver to conclude.